Truss anchoring assembly for buildings

ABSTRACT

A gusset anchoring assembly for anchoring the roof frame of a building to its foundation, such as a concrete slab and having a lower rod affixed to the foundation and an upper extension rod disposed adjacent the truss of the roof frame. A modified U-shaped bracket hangs from the gusset and is secured thereto by mechanical fasteners. The upper end of the extension rod is secured to a horizontal ledge formed on the bracket.

[0001] This application claims benefit of the filing date of my provisional application, Ser. No. 60/247,149 filed Nov. 9, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates in general to buildings and more particularly, to a truss anchoring assembly for buildings to anchor the roof assembly against the impact of winds.

[0004] 2. Summary of the Prior Art

[0005] High winds from hurricanes, tornadoes, and storms can have a severe damaging affect on homes, garages, factories, and other buildings. One common result of the impact of high winds against the sidewalls of a building is the uplifting of the roof frame from the building. The replacement of the entire roof structure requires expensive repair and increases the time of the unavailability of use of the damaged building. In addition, the displacement of the roof structure weakens the rigidity of the sidewalls often causing them to collapse compounding overall damage.

[0006] Strong winds from a hurricane and the like normally impact the sidewall of a building at an angle, often parallel to the ground, and are directed upward against the typical overhang of the roof. The upward rising wind pressure creates forces which overcome the integrity of the connection of the roof frame to the lower building framing components because of which the roof structure breaks away to cause severe damage to the building. Such excess damage results because present roof trusses are only anchored to the upper structure sidewalls and beams through bolts, nails, and the like. Such connecting elements are not anchored to the foundation and are insufficient in securing the roof structure. In many buildings the sills beneath the sidewall are secured to reinforcing rods which are anchored, for example, in a concrete slab. In the past typical reinforcing rods embedded in concrete are only used to anchor the lower building frame. None of the prior art techniques directly connect the roof structure to the building slab independently of the sidewalls or use the slab or other foundation components as a direct anchor for the roof frame. Accordingly, in addition it is desirable to provide a truss securement assembly by which the roof trusses are independently anchored to the building foundation as well as being secured to the building frame as is conventional.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is, therefore, an objective of the invention to provide a new technique and assembly to secure roof truss reinforcement assembly for buildings. The invention provides independent anchoring of the roof assembly including trusses and rafters to the foundation, such as a concrete slab, columns, and the like on which houses, garages, factories, warehouses, sheds, and other structures are commonly secured and supported. The truss reinforcement assembly of the invention greatly increases the resistance of the roof structure to the uplifting forces of wind so as to prevent separation of the roof frame and potential collapse of the sidewalls of the building. Although roof plywood components may be displaced under high winds, the invention is effective in insuring that the overall structure remains intact in the presence of much higher wind forces than possible by prior art techniques of roof securement.

[0008] The invention herein employs rod means, which extends from conventional J-bolts rods, such as J-bolts, embedded and anchored to a concrete slab and the like. A unique bracket of the application secures the rod to the structure of roof assembly or upper portion of building, such as to the roof trusses or rafters. The invention provides an inexpensive and easy to install reinforcement of a building against the damaging effects of high winds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts in section, of truss anchoring assembly for buildings of the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the truss attachment bracket of the truss anchoring assembly of FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is the opposite end elevational view of the truss attachment bracket of FIG. 2; and

[0012]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the truss attachment bracket of FIG. 2.

[0013]FIG. 5 is partial side elevational view of a second embodiment of the truss attachment assembly of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the second embodiment of the truss attachment bracket of the invention;

[0015]FIG. 7 is the opposite elevational view of the second embodiment of the truss attachment bracket of the invention;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the second embodiment of the truss attachment bracket of the invention;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a plurality of truss anchoring assemblies being anchored to roof assembly; and

[0018]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of truss anchoring assembly for anchoring a horizontally disposed truss.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the truss anchoring assembly for forming an anchored vertical extension for buildings of the invention, generally designated by reference numeral 2. Although one truss reinforcement assembly 2 is shown in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that a plurality of truss reinforcement assemblies 2 will be present in a building dependent on desired strength characteristics. The locations of securement of the assembly 2 may be adjacent corners, at each or some sloped or horizontal trusses of a roof frame, and at midpoint locations along the sidewalls and other locations as needed. In FIG. 1, the truss reinforcement assembly 2 is shown being affixed to a conventional rebar rod 4 embedded in a conventional manner in a concrete slab 6 or other concrete structure. The upper end 4′ of the rebar rod 4, commonly called a J-bolt, has a threaded portion 4 b. The rebar rod 4 normally anchors the lower sill 8 of a building, such as a house, garage, factory, warehouse, shed, barn, and the like. As is known rebar rod 4 may have bulging rings 4 a along its length and a threaded upper end 4 b.

[0020] The truss reinforcement assembly 2 includes an elongated vertical extension rebar rod 10 having a circular cross-sectional configuration and having a construction similar to rebar rod 4. As is typical, rebar rod 10 also includes enlarged rings 10′ along its length. Although rod 10 is shown as a rebar rod, it is within the scope of the invention to use threaded rods, smooth rods, or other elongated connecting elements when desired in accordance with invention. The rod 10 includes a lower threaded portion 12 which is attached to the threaded portion 4 b of rod 4 by a coupling nut 14 of a conventional design having opposite internal threads at each end. The rod 10 is arranged to extend upward and terminate with a threaded upper attachment end 16 adjacent to roof truss 20 or rafter.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a securement bracket 22 secures the threaded end 16 of rod 10 to the truss 20. The bracket 22 is formed from a metal or suitable material and has a flat vertical wall 24 in the form of a plate which hangs from truss 20. A flat wall forming securement ledge 26 is welded or otherwise affixed to plate 24. A gusset 28 is secured to plate 24 and to the lower face of ledge 26 for reinforcement (FIGS. 1-3). The upper edge 30 of plate 24 is bent at a right angle to form a flat wall 32 which is sloped to form a truss contacting surface 32′. If the truss 20 or roof component is horizontally disposed, the upper wall 32 would then be generally parallel to the horizontal plane of the upper surface 26′ of ledge 26.

[0022] A downwardly bent portion 34 extends generally at a right angle from wall 32 and forms a downwardly disposed flat rear attachment and support wall arranged generally parallel to plate 22. The front vertical plate 22, top wall 32, and rear wall 34 form a modified U-shape opening 36 to receive the truss 20 so generally corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the truss 20 confronting the surfaces of that walls 22, 32, and 34 which are generally in contact or near contact with the two side faces and upper edge face of truss 20. As seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, bracket 22 is provided with a plurality of holes 38 a, 38 b, and 38 c respectively in plate 24, wall 32, and wall 34. The holes may receive nails or other mechanical fasteners (not shown) for securing the bracket 22 to the respective faces of truss 20.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 5-8, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the bracket for securing the truss anchoring assembly, generally designation by reference numeral 22 a. The bracket 22 a performs in a similar manner to anchor a truss member as shown in FIGS. 14. The bracket 22 a secures the threaded end 16 a of rod 10 a to the truss 20 a. The bracket 22 a is formed from a metal or suitable material and has a vertical wall forming a plate 24 a which hangs from truss 20 a. A securement ledge 26 a is welded or otherwise affixed to plate 24 a. A pair of spaced triangular gussets 40 are secured to the top of the ledge 26 a and to the front face of vertical plate 24 a for reinforcement (FIGS. 5, 6, and 7). The upper edge 30 a of plate 24 a is bent along an axis angular disposed with respect to ledge 24 a to to form a sloped wall 32 a disposed at a right angle to plate 24 a. If the truss 20 or roof component is horizontally disposed, the upper edge 30 would then be generally parallel to the horizontal plane of the upper surface 26 a′ of ledge 26 such as shown in FIG. 9.

[0024] A downwardly bent rear portion 34 a extends from wall 32 a at a right angle and forms a downwardly disposed rear attachment wall which is parallel to plate 24 a. As seen in FIGS. 5-8, bracket 22 a is provided with a plurality of bolts receiving holes 42 respectively in ledge 26 a and wall 34 a. A plurality of holes 44 for receiving nails and the like are formed in vertical plate 24 a.

[0025] As seen in FIG. 9, the bracket 22 a (as well as previously described bracket 22) can be anchored to each or alternate ones of the plurality of trusses 20 a of a typical sloped roof structure 50 on both sides of the house 52 or other building. As similar to in FIG. 1, the bracket 22 a being mounted on truss 20 a is secured to the threaded upper end 16 a of rod 10 a. The bottom portion of rod 10 a is secured to rod 4 a which may have a J-shaped end (not shown) and other configuration which is embedded in a concrete slab 6 a.

[0026] The bracket 22 a (as well as bracket 22 shown in FIGS. 1-4) may be also be attached directly to an upper portion of all or selected trusses 20 a at any intermediate position such as near the hip 56 of the roof as shown in FIG. 9. In its intermediate position, it may be desired to extend the rod 10 a through an interior wall 58 a for practical aesthetic reasons. As further seen in FIG. 9, a modified bracket 22 b (to be described) having a horizontal upper edge 30 c, may also be affixed to an upper horizontal beam 60 and then a second extension rod 72 having threaded ends 72 a and 72 b can be connected to the threaded end 16 through a dual nut 74. A second bracket 20 a may be similarly attached to the upper threaded end 72 and to the upper portion of the truss 20 a through bracket 22 a.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a modification of the truss anchoring assembly of the invention, generally designated by reference numeral 2 b. The truss anchoring assembly 2 b is used to anchor a horizontal truss and employs a truss attachment bracket 22 b. The bracket 22 b is a formed metal member having vertical plate 24 b, horizontal ledge 26b, and a pair of triangular gussets 28 b (one of which is shown in FIG. 10) which are attached to vertical plate 24 b and horizontal ledge 26. An upper wall 32 b extends at a generally right angle to vertical wall 22 to form a truss contacting surface 32 b′ which is generally parallel to the top surface 26 b′ of ledge 26 as seen in FIG. 10. A rear wall 34 b extends downward from wall 32 b in parallel relationship to vertical plate 22 b. One or more nails 80 or other mechanical fastener may be driven through holes (not shown) through wall 32 b. A bolt assembly 82 having threaded bolt 82 a with washer 82 b extends through vertical wall 24 b and horizontal truss 20 b through holes (not shown). An aligned hole (not shown) in rear wall 34 b receives the end of threaded bolt 82 a. The end of threaded 82 a is secured by nut 82 c in conjunction with washer 82 d and lock washer 82 e. The foregoing fastening technique can also be used in connection with bracket 22 and 22 a as described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. As in the previous embodiments, the threaded end of 16 c of rod 10 c extends through a hole in ledge 26 b and is attached by nut 90 and locker washer 92. The lower end 12 b of rod 10 b is affixed to embedded rebar 4 b through extender coupling nut 14 b as in the previous embodiments. It is within the scope of the invention to employ any number of mechanical fasteners through walls 22, 32, and 34 into and/or through a sloped or horizontal truss as is needed for strength. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A truss anchoring assembly for anchoring a truss to a building support foundation comprising rod means having a lower end arranged to be secured to the a support foundation, said rod means forming an elongated extension extending from the building support foundation to an upper attachment end, bracket means being affixed to said upper attachment end, said bracket means having an upper wall forming a downwardly disposed surface for contacting a truss and; securement means for securing the bracket means to the truss.
 2. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim 1 wherein said rod means includes a lower vertical rod arranged to being embedded in the building support foundation, an upper extension rod forming said upper attachment end, and coupling means for attaching said lower rod to said upper extension rod.
 3. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim 2 wherein said lower vertical rod includes a threaded upper end portion, said upper extension rod includes a lower threaded end portion, and said coupling means includes a coupling nut having opposed internally threaded portion for respectively attaching said upper end of said lower rod and the lower end of said extension rod.
 4. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim 1 wherein said bracket means includes a plurality of walls arranged generally at right angles to each other.
 5. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim I wherein said bracket means includes a plurality of walls arranged generally at right angles to each other, one of said walls of said bracket means includes a securement ledge, said upper end of said extension rod being secured to said securement ledge.
 6. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim 5 wherein said upper end of said extension rod extends through said securement ledge.
 7. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim 6 wherein said upper end of said extension rod is threaded, nut means being attached to extension rod for attachment to said securement ledge.
 8. A truss anchoring assembly for anchoring a truss to a building support foundation comprising rod means having a lower end arranged to be secured to the a support foundation, said rod means forming an elongated extension extending from the building support foundation to an upper attachment end, bracket means being affixed to said upper attachment end, said bracket means having an upper wall forming a downwardly disposed surface for contacting a truss, securement means for securing the bracket means to the truss and; said bracket means includes three walls forming a pair of spaced parallel walls interconnected by said upper wall, said three walls forming an opening generally corresponding to the exterior of the truss, said three walls arranged to generally contact the truss, said securement means extending through at least one of said three walls.
 9. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim 8 wherein a bolt assembly extends through said pair of parallel walls for securement to the truss.
 10. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim 8 wherein another one of said plurality of walls forms a vertical plate, said securement ledge being attached to said vertical plate.
 11. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim 10 further including at least one gusset attached to said securement ledge and said vertical plate.
 12. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim 11 wherein said securement ledge is attached to a lower portion of said vertical plate.
 13. The truss anchoring assembly according to claim 11 wherein said at least one gusset is attached to an upper of surface of said securement ledge. 